Two Good Samaritans who came to the aid of a man viciously attacked in Waterford city at the weekend have been credited with saving his life.
Mr Seán Holden (35), Mooncoin, Co Kilkenny, is in a stable condition at Waterford Regional Hospital following the assault in the early hours of Sunday morning which happened within yards of the city's Garda station.
Mr Holden is believed to be suffering from a fractured skull and he underwent further scans yesterday after the attack by two men on the hill of Ballybricken, which followed a row in a licensed premises that was sparked by soccer rivalries.
The victim's sister, Mrs Mary Lennon, praised the actions of a taxi-driver and an off-duty nurse who came to her brother's aid.
"They told us at the hospital that the taxi-driver saved his life. If he hadn't intervened, my brother would have been dead. It appears that he got out of his taxi and stopped the assault. I don't know who he was, but my family would like to thank him for saving Sean's life."
Mrs Lennon also praised an off-duty nurse who gave her brother medical attention at the scene.
"Someone in the hospital told me that a nurse came on the scene. She was off duty and stayed with Seán until the ambulance arrived. She also went back out to the hospital and we wish to thank her."
The assault took place outside the former Walsh's bakery in Ballybricken. Gardaí arrested two male suspects aged 17 and 23. They were held under Section Four of the Criminal Justice Act.
The two men, who are related, were released without charge late on Sunday night and a file is now being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Gardaí say they are not seeking anyone else in connection with the assault but are appealing for witnesses.